Out of town….

We escaped from the city for few days. 

There was finally sun in the Netherlands, after weeks of rain … 

so when friends offered us to stay at their summer house on one of the islands, we didn't think much.

I have only one child home for a while because my older son is spending part of holidays at our family. It feels a bit strange and I mis him a lot. …we never did this before. My little one is getting more attention as you see on the pictures. Few days of holiday, but it feels so great! 

Rafa-kids location at InsideDesignAmsterdam

We went today to IJburg - Amsterdam to see the location where we are going to present Rafa-kids furniture at InsideDesignAmsterdam. It is a design event organized once a year by ELLE DecorationNL. It takes place on one of the islands of Amsterdam. The modern city buildings as a backdrop for this great event full of interesting and modern design. The atmosphere was really inspiring! There will be special Kids House where we are going to join other designers and prepare something special for kids! So reserve the date: 21 - 23 September 2012 - IJburg - Amsterdam. 

 last picture ELLEDecorationNL  the rest Rafa-kids

Totem City from Kidsonroof

I could easily say that Totem City from Kidsonroof is a perfect toy for a boy 6+ . 

The concept of it reminds me of  the House of cards by Roy and Charles Eames. Colorful cards printed on strong cupboard.  My son was not really interested in following the instructions. He just took spontaneously all of the parts and started too build space ships….hours of fun and creation. 

Vitra for kids /part 4 - Eames Elephant

It's time to continue our great Vitra for kids serie. 

After Hang-it-all and Utensilo and Panton-chair I'm happy to present Eames Elephant. 

In 1945  Charles and Ray Eames designed the legendary Plywood Elephant but it was to expensive to be produce and at that time only 2 prototypes were made. In 2007 Vitra launched a limited edition of the Plywood Elephant on the occasion of the 100th birthday of Charles. The 2000 copies were sold out immediately! Of course the Playwood Elephant went to the collectors and not the children rooms , not really like designers wanted. In the light of this, Vitra decided to develop a version that would be affordable as a child's toy: the Eames Elephant made of plastic. One of the Eames principal mottos was : " The most of the best to the greatest number of people for the least." It is available in five colors: red, ice-grey,white, dark lime and light pink.

photo's : vitra.com 
1 - children playing outside   yliving.com/vitra-eames-elephants  and modernkiddo.com

2 - styling with red elephant : photography: Mikkel Tjellesen/Styling Revelver from: revolver 

3 - styling with white elephant: photography: Kristiina Kurronen/ Styling Susanna Vento from susannavento.fi

4 - ice-grey elephant with the boy kltworks

5 - elephant nursery littlelovely
6 - Eames Plywood Elephant with box designbyherwell

Juno bed designed by Viggo Einfeldt

 model 1

model 2

I wanted to make a post about beautiful children bed which I see in many Danish homes. I thought that this bed comes from Sebra but searching on the web I discovered that Kili bed is not the only one!  there's also Noahbeds and Alt-til-baby and all of them look the same. This let me into discovery that all of this beds are accully copies of a design from 40's ! The original Juno bed was created by architect Viggo Einfeldt. His granddaughter made a site where we can read the history of the original bed which is no more in production since late 50's.  The idea of the Juno was a pull-out bed that would follow the child from the first week to the early teenage years, where the (fully extended and without side bars) could act as a sofa in a teen's room. His motto was a "BED THAT GROWS WITH THE CHILD" . Juno came in two versions, Juno 1 and Juno 2 - the first probably unknown to most. There are 3 different lengths of the bed , and you can extend it, according to the child's growth. The design has a timeless beauty and functionality which makes it still a very popular bed. I guess this popularity made so many companies to profit from producing colorful copies. It is just a shame there are no credits given to the designer. 

  Modern copy of the Juno bed :

modern beds from 1 /  2-3  / 4     all old materials from : junosengen.dk

Daniel Palillo kids

I know I hardly ever show here fashion for kids, but today it's a big exemption. The Helsinki based fashion designer Daniel Palillo's collection for kids is so different. I have recently a big crash on the Norwegian design simplicity and bold colors. I think this whole collection can be a great inspiration for making a funny and super cool looking costumes for many different occasions. I would love to wear some of them too. In some gray day I could cheer up myself and bring a smile to faces of my kids and husband. 

I wish you all a great weekend! 

News from Deuz

During the time when some people are on holiday others work hard to bring fresh and new collections for after summer time. I give you today a sneak view what the French brand DEUZ is busy with at the moment. I had chance to meet the creative sisters Marie and Charlotte at the Kleine Fabric Amsterdam last year.  I really like the simple and modern look of their products and the basic colors and graphic touch. The tradition game of the goose printed on the organic cotton looks great - I think my sons would really like to take it on holiday and hide with it in the tent and play.